James Russell is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 29 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, LLC and PKS Investments. Outside of his advisory work, he is an equal partner in a real estate development venture through JL3, LLC. Merit Financial Group is a multi-team SEC-registered advisory firm serving individual investors, retirement plans, ESOPs, and other institutional clients. The firm focuses on long-term, diversified asset allocation using centrally managed model portfolios and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary accounts.

Oliver Kosar is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisors, LLC in Atlanta, GA, holding a Series 65 credential. He joined the firm in 2026 and has prior experience working at the University of Georgia and Georgia Southern University. Outside of finance, he has been involved with ATL Autographs since 2020. Capital Investment Advisors is a multi-team firm serving individuals, families, corporate executives, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm provides integrated financial planning and discretionary portfolio management, using a centralized ETF-based portfolio approach combined with tailored allocations and access to specialized services including tax, estate, pension consulting, and private investments.

Jessica Quinn is a financial advisor with IFG Advisory, LLC and holds a Series 66 designation. She has three years of industry experience, including nine years at CitiBank prior to joining IFG Advisory and LPL Financial in 2023. Quinn also provides administrative support to IFG Advisory, LLC. IFG Advisory, LLC offers investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies using sub-advisors and third-party managers and provides services such as portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting.

James Read is a financial advisor with Jefferies Investment Advisers LLC in Duluth, GA, holding a Series 63 designation and 46 years of industry experience. He has been with Jefferies & Company, Inc since 2009. Jefferies Investment Advisers LLC provides fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, foundations, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities through a customized, collaborative planning process that covers areas such as tax and estate planning, executive compensation, and philanthropic planning.

Matthew Gladbach is a CFP® professional with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Advisory Services Network. His prior roles include positions at Donaldson Capital Management, TD Ameritrade, and Scottrade. He also acts as a FINRA arbitrator on an as-selected basis. Advisory Services Network supports individuals, families, corporations, and retirement plans through a network of independent advisors, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and investment consulting. The firm employs a range of strategies across various asset classes and manages approximately $8.6 billion in client assets.

Ross Hughes is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at BIP Wealth, LLC since 2022. His prior roles include positions at Capital Endurance Group, Inc., Allstate, and Redwood Wealth Management, LLC. BIP Wealth, LLC is a multi-advisor registered investment adviser serving individuals, families, trusts, estates, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management, including unique services such as advising private pooled vehicles and managing covered-call SMA strategies.

Andrew Guthrie is a financial advisor with Sound Income Strategies, LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has been in the industry since 2026, with prior experience that includes roles at Stearns Retirement Group and involvement with community organizations such as Georgia 4-H. Sound Income Strategies manages approximately $4.0 billion in client assets and serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, corporations, and other advisers. The firm emphasizes customized portfolio management with a focus on fixed-income analysis and equity review, supported by a scalable advisor network and specialized family-office style services.

Troy Decastro is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 66 license with 14 years of industry experience. He is currently with IFG Advisory, LLC, where he has worked since 2019, following a 21-year tenure at Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. IFG Advisory, LLC provides advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable and corporate entities, and retirement plans. The firm’s investment approach integrates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis and employs a range of management strategies, including in-house management and third-party managers.

Matthew Hand is a CFP® professional with eight years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with BIP Wealth, LLC and has held prior roles at firms including CapFinancial Securities LLC, Charles Schwab, and Stewardship Financial Advisors LLC. BIP Wealth, LLC is a multi-advisor registered investment adviser serving individuals, families, trusts, estates, and employer-sponsored retirement plans with comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management. The firm offers tailored household-level plans and manages both public and private market investments, including private pooled vehicles and covered-call strategies.

William Stark Jr. is a financial advisor at Howard Capital Management, LLC with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Howard Capital Management since 2018 and previously spent a year at Maverick and Mavern Consulting and four years at the University of Georgia. He holds a Series 65 designation. Howard Capital Management serves a diverse client base including individual and institutional investors, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm uses proprietary tactical indicators and model portfolios, often implemented through its own mutual funds and ETFs, to provide discretionary portfolio management and private wealth services.

Melissa Ekeberg is a financial advisor with IFG Advisory, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. She has previously worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation, LPL Financial, Invest Financial Corporation, and United Community Bank. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Appalachian Wealth Management. IFG Advisory, LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable and corporate entities, and retirement plans. The firm provides comprehensive portfolio management and financial planning services, employing a multi-faceted investment approach that includes fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, and utilizes a variety of management strategies and third-party models.

Arlene Alexander is a financial advisor at Cyndeo Wealth Partners in Grayson, GA, holding a Series 66 designation with 20 years of industry experience. Her career includes prior roles at Merrill, Banc of America Investment Services, and Ameriprise. Cyndeo Wealth Partners serves individuals, corporations, and middle-market business owners by offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, family office and wealth planning, and business advisory services. The firm constructs customized portfolios through its own models and allocations to external managers, operates a private pooled investment vehicle, and provides specialized advisory services linking business value acceleration to personal financial and tax planning.

Kyle Turnier is a financial advisor at Asset Preservation Advisors, LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Belle Haven Investments, LP and AQR Capital Management. His current role began in 2025 at both Asset Preservation Advisors and iM Global US Distributors, LLC. Asset Preservation Advisors specializes in discretionary municipal bond investment management for institutional and retail clients, offering strategies focused on tax-exempt and taxable municipal portfolios. The firm manages over $11 billion in assets and emphasizes active fixed-income management with an ESG-oriented Positive Impact Tax-Exempt Strategy.

Najee Sanders is a financial advisor at OpenArc Corporate Advisory, LLC in Atlanta, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Merrill, David Lerner Associates, and HSBC Bank USA. OpenArc Corporate Advisory provides wealth management, financial planning, and investment management services to individuals, trusts, corporations, and institutional retirement plans. The firm combines institutional research and diversified implementation across public and private markets, managing approximately $10.1 billion in discretionary assets.

Emily Fletcher is a financial advisor at OpenArc Corporate Advisory, LLC with 24 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. Outside of her advisory role, she is a general partner and managing member of Brownlow Enterprises LLC, a limited liability company. OpenArc Corporate Advisory provides wealth management, financial planning, and investment management for individuals, trusts, corporations, and institutional retirement plans. The firm combines institutional research and manager due diligence with diversified implementation across public and private markets to serve high-net-worth clients, plan sponsors, and nonprofit organizations.

Daniel Harmeyer is a CFP® with 31 years of experience in the financial services industry. He currently works at Simplicity Wealth and Retirement Income Specialists, LLC and has held prior roles at firms including Fisher Investments and Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. He is also the owner of Retirement Income Solutions, LLC, a business focused on life insurance and annuities. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base that includes individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, corporate and institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm employs a fund-of-funds investment approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, and offers customizable model portfolios with ongoing monitoring, utilizing technology and operational support for advisers alongside its managed account platform.

Aaron Mellman is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC since 2020. His prior roles include positions at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc, Macy’s, AXA Advisors LLC, and Indigo Payments. Modera Wealth Management, LLC provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory and offers a range of services such as wealth management, retirement plan consulting, financial planning, and tax-related services.

Ryan Cox is a financial advisor at OpenArc Corporate Advisory, LLC in Atlanta, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with six years of industry experience. Prior to joining OpenArc in 2025, he worked at Merrill for four years and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC for two years. Before his financial services career, he spent 14 years employed at The Cheesecake Factory. OpenArc Corporate Advisory provides wealth management, financial planning, and investment management services to individuals, trusts, corporations, and institutional retirement plans, managing approximately $10.1 billion on a discretionary basis. The firm employs a diversified investment approach combining institutional research, manager due diligence, and multiple asset classes including public and private markets with tailored solutions for plan sponsors and nonprofit clients.

Jared Schmidt is a financial advisor at United Capital Financial Advisors with 17 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® designation as well as Series 66 and Series 65 licenses. Prior to joining United Capital in 2023, he worked at Goldman Sachs Private Wealth / PFM from 2017 to 2023 and Goldman Sachs Asset Management from 2008 to 2017. United Capital Financial Advisors offers national financial planning and discretionary investment management services to a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth households, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm provides a customizable platform that supports ESG and faith-based portfolios, access to alternative investments, and a broad network of affiliated legal, trust, and lending services.

Christopher Jones is a financial advisor with IFG Advisory, LLC in Atlanta, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 26 years of industry experience. He has been with IFG Advisory and LPL Financial since 2015. IFG Advisory, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm tailors investment strategies using a variety of analytical approaches and instruments, employs sub-advisors and third-party managers, and also manages held-away assets to align with clients’ overall financial goals.